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Turkish Press Review, 01-04-12
From: Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs <http://www.mfa.gov.tr>
Summary of the political and economic news in the Turkish press this morning
12.04.2001
CONTENTS
[01] ECEVIT: "I WILL NOT RESIGN"
[02] ECONOMIC PROGRAM TO BE ANNOUNCED FRIDAY
[03] BUDGET LAW AMENDED
[04] TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE PROPOSAL FROM ISRAEL
[05] CLASH BETWEEN POLICE AND TRADESMEN
[06] LE MONDE: THE US CANNOT IGNORE TURKEY
[07] ISMAIL CEM TO TRAVEL TO SKOPJE
[08] ERDIL MEETS WITH CHINESE CHIEF OF GENERAL STAFF
[09] KAVAN MEETS BAHCELI AND CEM
[10] TURKEY AND TRNC SEEK FOR A NEW STRATEGY ON THE
CYPRUS ISSUE
[11] DENKTAS MEETS AUSTRIA'S FOREIGN MINISTER
[12] BERLIN ADMINISTRATION TO ARMENIAN LOBBIES: "DO
NOT SCRATCH OLD WOUNDS"
[13] BARZANI TO VISIT ANKARA
[14] DERVIS MEETS WITH SOROS' REPRESENTATIVES
[15] ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL COUNCIL LAW ENACTED
[16] WORLD BANK'S REPORT
[17] WORLD BANK MAY DOUBLE FINANCIAL SECTOR LOANS
[18] TISK SUPPORTS GOVERNMENT
[19] HEALTH MINISTRY AND PHARMACEUTICAL COMPANIES'
MEETING WILL SET FOREIGN CURRENCY RATE
[20] CAY FLIES TO KYRGYZSTAN
[21] PARDON FOR THE ILLEGAL CONSTRUCTIONS
[22] MEASURES AGAINST LIVESTOCK AND MEAT SMUGGLING
[23] EASTERN ANATOLIA AND SOUTHEASTERN ANATOLIA REGIONS'
RECORD IN EXPORTS
[24] FIRST FLOATING HOSPITAL FOR THE EARTHQUAKE VICTIMS
[25] TURKISH-ITALIAN PARTNERSHIP IN TEXTILES
[26] MOON AND STARS PROJECT
[27] FROM THE COLUMNS...FROM THE COLUMNS...FROM THE
COLUMNS...
[28] GOVERNMENT SCENARIOS BY YILMAZ OZTUNA (TURKIYE)
[01] ECEVIT: "I WILL NOT RESIGN"
Yesterday, Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit answered
government critics during his speech at the Democratic Left Party
(DSP) group meeting. Regarding the calls for the government's
resignation, Ecevit said, "For the time being, I do not believe
searching for new government models will be beneficial for the
country. That's why I will continue doing my duty." Stressing he
is not interested in holding down to his seat. Ecevit said he had
resigned by his own free-will from previous elected-positions, and if
he deems it necessary, he will resign soon. Additionally, replying to
journalists questions on a cabinet revision, Ecevit said the topic
should be evaluated by all coalition leaders. Regarding yesterday's
clashes during demonstrations the Premier said even if the actions
began with goodwill, everyone should be careful of the provocateurs.
Ecevit also said Turkey is passing through a very sensitive period and
asked for the demonstrations to end. /Turkiye/
[02] ECONOMIC PROGRAM TO BE ANNOUNCED FRIDAY
State Minister for the Economy, Kemal Dervis, said
the economic program will be announced Friday. Negotiations with the
IMF delegation on economic targets and budget's size were prolonged.
Dervis spoke at the parliament yesterday during the debate on a bill
proposing an amendment to the budget law. Dervis said the
supplementary budget should be adopted before the fall. Dervis said
problems have increased and the economy can not reach sustainable
growth, therefore radical solutions are needed instead of short-term
solutions. Dervis said, "We aim to implement a more effective
monetary policy, to have an effective Central Bank and a strong
Treasury. The economic balances have been turned upside down. We could
not reach a new equilibrium. For this reason, the proposal for a
supplementary budget should be made in the second half of the year, so
that we can make the necessary economies. Nevertheless, it should be
adopted before the fall." /Milliyet/
[03] BUDGET LAW AMENDED
The Turkish Grand National Assembly adopted a bill
ensuring the financial liabilities of state-owned banks and the banks
controlled by the Savings Insurance Fund(MSF) will be transferred to
the Treasury. The $13 billion in duty losses from these banks will be
covered by the budget. Around $3 billion from the budget will be given
to the banks to support their capital. The banking department of
Emlakbank will be merged with Ziraatbank. /Milliyet/
[04] TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE PROPOSAL FROM ISRAEL
Israeli Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister,
Shimon Peres, told Economics Minister Kemal Dervis that Israel could
provide Turkey with technical assistance. Peres left Ankara yesterday
after his meeting with Dervis. Peres and Dervis discussed the recent
economic crisis and the new economic program. Peres gave information
on the economic program used by Israel to get out of their economic
crisis with a 400% inflation rat in 1984. Proposing technical
assistance to Turkey, Peres said, "The most important motive for
the economic program is to receive support from all groups of the
society. You must take the necessary measures and stay in contact with
the trade unions, industrialists and non-governmental
organizations." /Cumhuriyet/
[05] CLASH BETWEEN POLICE AND TRADESMEN
The official demonstration by the Ankara Union of
Chambers of Tradesmen and Artisans turned into a violent mass riot
yesterday. After the police did not let protester groups march towards
the Turkish Parliament building, the demonstration turned into a
violent mass protest and many protesters, reporters and policemen were
wounded during the clashes. At least 202 people, including 137 police
officers, were treated at local hospitals. The groups, shouting
slogans against the government threw, stones at public buildings on
their way to Kizilay Square after the police had dispersed the crowd
upon the arrival of gendarmerie as reinforcements. Police use tear gas
and fired shots into the air to disperse the crowd. Some reporters
were also injured by the stones and rods thrown at them. Ankara
Governor Yahya Gur evaluated the incidents as a "street movement
and riot" and prohibited any demonstrations in Ankara for a
month. He said the decision was made for the sake of the integrity and
security of the whole nation. Interior Minister Sadettin Tantan
denounced the violence and said illegal terrorist groups might have
infiltrated the demonstration. There were also anti-government
demonstrations in Izmir, Istanbul and Konya yesterday. /Cumhuriyet/
[06] LE MONDE: THE US CANNOT IGNORE TURKEY
The prominent French Daily Le Monde said Turkey
needed a political overhaul to overcome the crisis and reach a
permanent solution. Pointing to the IMF and World Bank support for
Turkey, the paper said, "What lies behind this international
support to Turkey is the country's strategic importance to the US. The
IMF's statement promising new credits is the clear implication. The US
attaches great importance to the Baku-Ceyhan pipeline as well as to
military bases within the boundaries of Turkey that can be used in the
operations against Iraq. Washington wants to establish a controlling
mechanism by using Turkey over both Caucasus oil and natural gas and
the two important powers of the region, Russia and Iraq. That's why
the US will never ignore Turkey." /Cumhuriyet/
[07] ISMAIL CEM TO TRAVEL TO SKOPJE
Foreign Minister Ismail Cem will travel to Skopje,
Macedonia, today to attend the Southeastern Europe Foreign Ministers
Meeting. The meeting to be hold with the initiatives of the US
Secretary of State, Colin Powell, will begin late afternoon today. In
addition to Turkey, the US, Albania, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Bulgaria,
Croatia, Hungary, Romania, Yugoslavia, Slovenia, and Greece will
participate in the meeting. /Turkiye/
$19.5 BILLION SAVINGS BY THE ARMED FORCES"
The Office of the Chief of the General Staff
announced the postponement of 32 weapons procurement projects,
totaling $19.5 billion, within the strategic targets plan. The
announcement said, "The Turkish Armed Forces(TSK) is aware that
countries lacking a strong armed forces as a deterrent do not have a
chance to survive. Similarly, economically weak countries cannot have
a strong armed forces. The TSK will continue its efforts to modernize
its defense systems and increase its strength while having to minimize
its capabilities and economize in its budget." /Milliyet/
[08] ERDIL MEETS WITH CHINESE CHIEF OF GENERAL STAFF
Naval Forces Commander Ilhami Erdil, currently in
China, had a meeting with Chinese Chief of General Staff Fu Quanyou on
Wednesday. Erdil said high-level contacts between China and Turkey
increased the level of cooperation between the two nations, and added
Turkey attached great importance to China as it plays an important
role both in its region and in the world. /Turkish News/
[09] KAVAN MEETS BAHCELI AND CEM
Deputy Prime Minister Devlet Bahceli met with Czech
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Jan Kavan,
currently in Turkey on an official visit. No explanation concerning
the meeting at the Prime Ministry was given. Kavan also met with
Minister of Foreign Affairs Ismail Cem. In a statement, Cem said,
"There are good relations between Turkey and the Czech Republic.
I hope to join them in the European Union soon." /Star/
[10] TURKEY AND TRNC SEEK FOR A NEW STRATEGY ON THE
CYPRUS ISSUE
Turkey and the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus
(TRNC) are seeking to form a new strategy as the Greek Cypriot
Administration's EU membership was recently brought to the
international agenda. TRNC President Rauf Denktas is expected to
arrive in Turkey today. Denktas will meet with President Ahmet Necdet
Sezer today. Foreign Minister Ismail Cem will hold contacts April
16-17 in the TRNC. Foreign Ministry Deputy Spokesman Huseyin Dirioz
said Turkey was concerned over the pressure on Washington by Greek
lobbies arguing that Greek Cypriots were exposed to human rights
violations on the island. /Cumhuriyet/
[11] DENKTAS MEETS AUSTRIA'S FOREIGN MINISTER
Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC)
President Rauf Denktas met with Austrian Foreign Minister Benita
Ferrano Waldner in Lefkoshe yesterday. Waldner was visiting the island
to participate in the departure ceremony for Austrian soldiers. During
the meeting, Denktas said the EU should not accept Greek Cypriot's
membership before reaching a solution on the island. Waldner also said
EU membership could be a good opportunity for both Turkish and Greek
Cypriots. /Turkish Daily News/
[12] BERLIN ADMINISTRATION TO ARMENIAN LOBBIES: "DO
NOT SCRATCH OLD WOUNDS"
Referring to the attempts Armenian lobbies to have
a so-called Armenian genocide bill approved in the Federal Parliament,
representatives of the German government stated it is the duty of
historians and international jurists to evaluate such allegations and
incidents, not the politicians. The Armenian lobbies had previously
applied to the Federal Parliament for the recognition of their
allegations. However, German government authorities said,
"Armenia should not ignore her current political interest by
getting stuck on a past issue. Germany is aware, by her own historical
experiences, that living peacefully with neighboring countries is much
more important for the peace and stability of the region. That's why
the Federal Government desires to contribute to the peace, but not to
scratch old wounds." /Cumhuriyet/
[13] BARZANI TO VISIT ANKARA
Iraqi Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) leader
Massoud Barzani is expected to visit Ankara at the end of April for
high-level tasks with Turkish authorities in a bid to evaluate the
latest developments in the region. Barzani's visit comes at a time
when the two warring Kurdish factions, namely the KDP and the
Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK), have made attempts to rebuild
their relations. Barzani's visit is particularly important as the new
US administration has tightened its grip on Iraq in a bid to end the
Saddam regime. The Bush Administration has made it clear they would
empower the Iraqi National Congress to fight more effectively against
Saddam, and asked its allies to support the new policy to which Turkey
has responded cautiously. Washington has also voiced its concern over
the border trade between Turkey and Iraq. The KDP controls the border
trade and profits most from the trade. /Turkish Daily News/
[14] DERVIS MEETS WITH SOROS' REPRESENTATIVES
Economics Minister Kemal Dervis met yesterday with
three representatives of the famous speculator George Soros. Soros
manages investment funds amounting to about $100 billion. Canadian
economist Michel Chossudovsky pointed out that Soros earned millions
of dollars due to the economic crisis in Turkey. /Cumhuriyet/
[15] ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL COUNCIL LAW ENACTED
The Economic and Social Committee, formed to create
economic and social policies and to ensure social consensus and
cooperation, was activated. The Prime Minister, the Deputy Prime
Ministers, three bureaucrats, nine Ministers and representatives from
seven non governmental organizations will have duties in the Council.
Some of the authorities and duties of the Council are as follows;
carrying out works to ensure the concerned sections of society's
participation in the formation of the government policies; extending
opinions during the preparation of draft laws, development plans and
annual programs. The Council convenes by a written request of one
third of its members or at the invitation of the Prime Minister once
every three months. /Star/
[16] WORLD BANK'S REPORT
In its Global Development Finance 2001 report the
World Bank drew a positive picture for the future of the Turkish
economy despite her recent economic crisis. The report issued in
Washington, said the Turkish economy will shrink this year due to the
economic crisis, but will grow next year as exports increase with the
TL's loss in value. The report also said by implementing new
beneficial programs, investor trust in Turkey will increase, the
related increase in exports will put the Turkish economy back on
track. /Turkiye/
[17] WORLD BANK MAY DOUBLE FINANCIAL SECTOR LOANS
The World Bank may double the amount of financial
sector adjustment loans (FSAL) it is planning to give Turkey for
banking sector reforms. The business network CNBC-E reported
yesterday. The World Bank would add another 750 million US dollars to
the first tranche of the FSAL of an equal amount, provided that a
restructuring plan covering state banks is accelerated. A financial
sector team from the World Bank, headed by Lalit Raina, is continuing
its talks with the Turkish government in Ankara. The team is scheduled
to leave next week. /Turkish Daily News/
[18] TISK SUPPORTS GOVERNMENT
The Chairman of the Turkey Employers Union
Confederation(TISK), Refik Baydur, said the TISK continues to support
the government. The resignation of the government is useless at this
stage. Baydur met yesterday with Deputy Prime Minister Husamettin
Ozkan and Mesut Yilmaz. Baydur said he conveyed the complaints
emanating from the closure of shops due to the crisis. /Milliyet/
[19] HEALTH MINISTRY AND PHARMACEUTICAL COMPANIES'
MEETING WILL SET FOREIGN CURRENCY RATE
The Health Ministry and Pharmaceutical Industry
Employers Union will meet for the second time to set the foreign
currency rate for drug bids, the Anatolia news agency reported on
Wednesday. The Turkish pharmaceuticals sector has been experiencing a
shortage in imported medication since government declared its decision
to float the Turkish Lira in February. Turkey has abandoned its
controlled foreign currency regime, the centerpiece of an 10 billion
US dollars IMF-backed reform program, and floated the lira in a
dramatic bid to curb a financial crisis racking the country. The
increase in foreign currency rates has caused a shortage in the
imported drug market, which accounts for around 25-30 percent of the
Turkish pharmaceuticals market. /Turkish Daily News/
TURKEY SELLS 345,00 TONS OF GRAIN IN EXPORT TENDER
The Soil Products Office(TMO) sold a total of
345,000 tons of grains at an export tender yesterday, traders said.
The Soil Products Office sold 45,000 tons of red milling wheat,
100,000 tons of each of durum wheat, white milling wheat and white
feed barley. TMO has put up the export tender to sell a total of
630,000 tons, including 325,000 tons of red milling wheat, 105,000
tons of white milling wheat, 100,000 tons of durum wheat and 100,000
tons of white feed barley. /Turkish Daily News/
[20] CAY FLIES TO KYRGYZSTAN
State Minister Abdulhaluk Mehmet Cay flew to
Kyrgyzstan to take part in the Turkish-Kyrgyz Joint Economic
Commission (KEK) meeting to be held between April 11-14 in Bishkek.
Before his departure, Cay said a KEK meeting between the two countries
had not been held since 1997 and therefore, this meeting would be
important. He said Turkey's export to this country had decreased from
50 million US dollars to 20 million US dollars in recent years because
of the economic crisis in Russia and the Far East. He said a protocol
will be signed at the end of the meetings. /Turkish Daily News/
[21] PARDON FOR THE ILLEGAL CONSTRUCTIONS
In order to finance the new economic program, a
pardon will be applied for the buildings constructed illegally or on
the land owned by the Treasury. Kemal Dervis and Finance Minister
Sumer Oral met yesterday to handle the issue. Land owned by the
Treasury upon which illegal buildings were constructed will be sold to
the owners of those buildings, especially in Istanbul, Ankara and
Izmir. Around $10-12 billion will be obtained by the Treasury,
excluding the 25 % share going to the Municipalities. /Milliyet/
[22] MEASURES AGAINST LIVESTOCK AND MEAT SMUGGLING
A bill allowing the seizure of livestock and dairy
products illegally brought into the country has been accepted by
Parliament's Agriculture, Forestry and Rural Affairs Commission. Under
the proposed Livestock Health and Sanitation Law, livestock and
livestock products that have entered the country illegally will first
be examined by veterinarians, then handed over to the Finance Ministry
to be sold. Animals that are not certified as healthy will be
destroyed without compensation. /Turkish News/
[23] EASTERN ANATOLIA AND SOUTHEASTERN ANATOLIA REGIONS'
RECORD IN EXPORTS
Export unions in the Eastern and Southeastern
Anatolian Regions broke a record for their increase in exports the
first quarter of this year. There has been a 54% increase for the
Southeastern Anatolia Region and a 41.4% increase for the Eastern
Anatolia Region. /Cumhuriyet/
ISTANBUL STOCK EXCHANGES INCREASE BY 345 POINTS
The Istanbul Stock Exchanges (IMKB) went up by 345
points. At the closing bell yesterday, the IMKB-100 index was up 8,657
points, an increase of 4.16% and the operation volume was 252 trillion
720 billion TL. /Star/
[24] FIRST FLOATING HOSPITAL FOR THE EARTHQUAKE VICTIMS
Istanbul Governorship and Turkish Directorate
General of Maritime Managements (TDI) initiated a joint work to turn
TDI's "M_F Tekirdag" ferry into a floating hospital the
earthquake victims. Istanbul Disaster Management Center Governor,
Erkan Akol, said they agreed with the TDI to allocate the ferry to the
Provincial Administration. /Cumhuriyet/
[25] TURKISH-ITALIAN PARTNERSHIP IN TEXTILES
Despite the economic crisis in Turkey, foreign
investment in Turkey continues. A leading Italian textile firm,
Brooksfield, added to its chain of shops around the world by opening a
new shop in Istanbul. Brooksfield Italy Executive Board Chairman,
Guido Andrea Monasterolo, said for the time being they will sell
classic and sport collections for men. Beginning next year they will
start selling women's collections. /Turkiye/
[26] MOON AND STARS PROJECT
A group of Turkish art lovers in New York, best
known for their organization of the "Mayfest" ( a culture
and art festival organized in every May), established a foundation to
improve the cultural relations between Turkey and the US. The
foundation's aim, named the "Moon and Stars Project", is to
support Turkish arts and inform the US Turkish community about
artistic activities taking place in Turkey. /Cumhuriyet/
[27] FROM THE COLUMNS...FROM THE COLUMNS...FROM THE
COLUMNS...
[28] GOVERNMENT SCENARIOS BY YILMAZ OZTUNA (TURKIYE)
Columnist Yilmaz Oztuna writes on the recent
developments taking place in Turkey. A summary of his column is as
follows: "Whatever the causes of the crisis, the responsibility
lies with the Government not the people. However, the Government must
continue working until everything calms down. With a Government
crisis, the dimensions of the present economic crisis will deepen.
Usually, in such periods eccentric people come forward and make
suggestions which provoke the people and are not of any use. They have
no vote potential, nor do they have the capacity to propose sound
suggestions. The intentions of those who put forth new projects which
would only humiliate Turkey in 2001 are not clear. We do not believe
those who threw stones at the police and press members have anything
to do with the tradesmen or artisans holding their demonstration. The
previous day concessions which could not be ignored were made to
tradesmen and artisans. No doubt they are in dire straits. However,
all sections of the society are suffering from the situation. It is
very difficult to govern by a tripartite Coalition, even in the West.
Therefore, there is no need to consider a five -party government
termed the 'National Coalition'. It would not work and, in any case,
is against the principles of democracy. This does not mean that the
present Government should go on as it has been. Its mistakes, the foot
dragging (as though unaware of the importance of times fleeting
passage) the preparations for a disscussion on the regime have all
erased the possibility of the Government carrying on its duties. Most
of the Coalition Ministers have lost their functions as they are not
adequately qualified for the job and blunder too often. Even before
the crisis, the need for revision was often expressed. Maybe these
suggestions were interpreted as pressure by Prime Minister Ecevit who
therefore resisted. However, politics is an art of far-sightedness. At
present, an immediate revision in the Cabinet is necessary. The number
of ministers should be reduced by half. Only then can trust in the
Government be revived. Otherwise, a new Coalition Government with the
same partners, but a different Prime Minister, will be formed."
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